Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture

The Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture is a national architecture award presented annually by the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) since 1981. The named award is given to the work adjudicated to be the most significant for the advancement of public architecture in that year. Alongside the Named Award, National Awards and National Commendations are also given by the jury.

Background Definition of the award The award recognises 'completed works of architecture of the highest quality' in the public architecture category. Originally the award was offered for 'non–residential buildings' with winning and commended projects including a wide array of building types including; cultural, education, health, transport, sports facilities, tourism, infrastructure, religion, justice, correctional facilities, war memorials, public administration, commercial buildings and a fountain.

Projects in this awards category must be predominantly of a public or institutional nature and generally fall within Building Code of Australia (BCA) Class 9, excluding projects within the definition of 'Educational Architecture or any BCA Class 9b building used primarily for educational purposes'. Projects awarded Named Awards and Architecture Awards by state-based Chapters of the AIA will be considered for a National Award in the same year. Since 2015 education projects have been assessed in a separate award category for the Daryl Jackson Award for Educational Architecture.

Zelman Cowen The named award recognises Sir Zelman Cowen, a 1953 Fulbright Senior Scholar in Law from the University of Melbourne and Harvard University, a prominent legal scholar and university administrator, and later the 19th Governor General of Australia (1977—1982) at the time of the inception of the new national RAIA awards established in 1981.

Named award winners

Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture (reverse order)YearArchitect Project Location State Type Other AIA awards2025 BVN Architecture Yarrila Place 27 Gordon Street, Coffs HarbourNew South WalesCultural Sir John Sulman Medal, 2025 2024 Lahznimmo Architects Powerhouse Castle Hill 2 Green Road, Castle HillNew South WalesCultural Public Architecture Award (NSW), 20242023 Conrad Gargett, Clare Design (Lead Design Architects) and Brian Hooper Architect Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA) 220 Quay Street, RockhamptonQueenslandCultural FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture (Queensland), 2023 JW Wilson Award for Building of the Year, 2023 (Central Queensland Regional Award) Regional Commendation for Public Architecture, 2023 (Central Queensland Regional Award)2022 Kerstin Thompson Architects Bundanon Art Museum and Bridge Bundanon, 533 Bundanon Road, Illaroo New South Wales Cultural Sir John Sulman Medal, 2022 (NSW) National Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2022 Architecture Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2022 (NSW) 2021 Grimshaw in collaboration with Monash University Woodside Building for Technology and Design 20 Exhibition Walk, Monash University Clayton Campus Victoria Education David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2021 (National) Victorian Architecture Medal, 2021 Melbourne Prize, 2021 Award for Educational Architecture, 2021 (Vic) Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2021 (Vic) Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, 2021 (Vic)2020 Johnson Pilton Walker with NSW Government Architect (*Joint Winner) Anzac Memorial Centenary Extension Hyde Park South, SydneyNew South Wales War Memorial Sir John Sulman Medal, 2020 (NSW) Architecture Award for Urban Design, 2020 (NSW) BVN Architecture (*Joint Winner) Marrickville Library' 313 Marrickville Road, Marrickville New South WalesCultural David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture (NSW) NSW Premier's Prize, 2020 Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2020 (NSW) Architecture Award for Public Architecture, 2020 (NSW)2019 Studio Hollenstein with Stewart Architecture Green Square Library and Plaza Green Square, SydneyNew South WalesCultural Architecture Award for Public Architecture, 2019 (NSW) Architecture Award for Urban Design, 2019 (NSW) Premier's Prize, 2019 (NSW)2018 Silver Thomas Hanley with Bates Smart Bendigo Hospital 100 Barnard Street, Bendigo VictoriaHealth Award for Public Architecture, 2018 (Vic)2017 Officer Woods Architects East Pilbara Arts Centre Newman Drive, Newman Western AustraliaCultural Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public Architecture, 2017 (WA) Commendation for Sustainable Architecture, 2017 (WA) Commendation for Steel Architecture, 2017 (WA) 2016 ARM Architecture Geelong Library and Heritage Centre 51 Little Malop Street, GeelongVictoriaCultural William Wardell Award for Public Architecture, 2016 Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture, 2016 Victoria Regional Prize, 20162015 ARM Architecture Shrine of Remembrance Galleries of Remembrance St Kilda Road, Melbourne VictoriaWar Memorial Victorian Architecture Medal, 2015 Melbourne Prize, 2015 William Wardell Award for Public Architecture, 2015 John George Knight Award (Heritage Architecture), 2015 Urban Design Architecture Award, 20152014 Richard Kirk Architect and Hassell Joint Venture University of Queensland Advanced Engineering Building Staff House Road, St Lucia QueenslandEducation Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2014 National Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2014 FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture, 2014 (Qld) GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture, 2014 (Qld) Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture, 2014 (Qld) John Dalton Award Building of the Year, 2014 (Qld Regional) Regional Commendation Public Architecture, 2014 (Qld) Regional Commendation Interior Architecture, 2014 (Qld)2013 ARM Architecture & Cameron Chisholm Nicol Joint Venture Architects Perth Arena 700 Wellington Street, PerthWestern AustraliaCultural Emil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2013 (National) Jeffrey Howlett Award for Public Architecture, 2013 (WA) Colorbond Steel Award, 2013 (WA) Interior Architecture Award, 2013 (WA) George Temple Poole Award, 2013(WA)2012 Fender KatsalidisMuseum of Old & New Art Hobart TasmaniaCultural Alan C Walker Award for Public Architecture, 2012 (Tas) 2011 Johnson Pilton Walker Australian War Memorial Eastern Precinct Australian War Memorial, Canberra Australian Capital TerritoryWar Memorial Canberra Medallion, 2011 (ACT) Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture, 2011 (ACT)2010 Hassell Epping to Chatswood rail link, Intermediate Stations North Ryde and Macquarie ParkNew South Wales Transport Sir John Sulman Medal, 20102009 Johnson Pilton Walker National Portrait Gallery King Edward Terrace, Parkes, CanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryCultural National Architecture Award for Interior Architecture, 2009 Canberra Medallion, 2009 (ACT) Romaldo Giurgola Award for Public Architecture, 2009 (ACT) Light in Architecture Prize, 2009 (ACT)2008 m3architecture Cherrell Hirst Creative Learning Centre Brisbane Girls Grammar School, Spring Hill QueenslandEducation2007 Donovan Hill and Peddle Thorp State Library of Queensland Stanley Place, South Brisbane QueenslandCulturalEmil Sodersten Award for Interior Architecture, 2007 (Qld) Brisbane Building of the Year 2007 (Qld) FDG Stanley Award for Public Buildings, 2007 (Qld)2006Hassell and John Wardle Architects Kaurna Building University of South Australia, 2 Fenn Place, AdelaideSouth Australia Education New Building Award, 2006 (SA) Interiors Award, 2006 (SA)2005Denton Corker Marshall Anzac Hall Australian War Memorial, CanberraAustralian Capital TerritoryWar Memorial Canberra Medallion, 2005 (ACT)2004 MGT Architects with Romaldo Giurgola, Architect St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta 1 Marist Place, Parramatta New South WalesReligion 2003 Richard Leplastrier, Peter Stutchbury and Sue Harper Birabahn, Indigenous Centre Wollotuka Institute, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NewcastleNew South Wales Education Public Architecture Award, 2003 (NSW)2002 John Wardle Architects; DesignInc Melbourne RMIT Biosciences Building Bundoora Campus Bundoora, Melbourne Victoria Education Architecture Award, New institutional building, 2002 (Vic)2001 Denton Corker Marshall Melbourne Museum Carlton Gardens, MelbourneVictoria Cultural Victorian Architecture Medal, 2001 William Wardell Award for Public Architecture, 20012000 MGT Architects The Scientia University of New South Wales, KensingtonNew South WalesEducation Sir John Sulman Medal, 20001999 Glen Murcutt, Wendy Lewin, Reg Lark Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre, (Bundanon) Bundanon, 533 Bundanon Road, Illaroo New South Wales Cultural Sir John Sulman Medal, 19991998Hassell Olympic Park station Sydney Olympic ParkNew South WalesTransport New South Wales Enduring Architecture Award, 2023 Sir John Sulman Medal, 19981997Lawrence Nield & Partners Australia & John Mainwaring & Associates University of the Sunshine Coast College Library 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Sunshine CoastQueenslandEducation BHP Colorbond Award, 1997 FDG Stanley Award for Public Buildings, 1997 (Qld) Regional Commendation, 1997 (Qld) Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture, 2026 (Qld)1996Denton Corker Marshall Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre South Wharf, MelbourneVictoria Cultural Sir Osborne McCutcheon Award for Commercial Architecture, 1996 (Victoria)1995Patricia Les, Department for Building Management Consultancy Services Swallowcliffe School 18 Swallociffe Road, Davoren Park, Adelaide South AustraliaEducationCommunity Environment Art and Design Award Civic Trust Award BHP Award1994Glenn Murcutt and Troppo Architects Bowali Visitors Centre and Headquarters Kakadu National Park, Kakadu Highway, Jabiru Northern TerritoryCultural Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award, 2018 Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award, 2018 Colorbond Award for Steel Architecture, 1994 (National Award) People's Choice Award, 1994 (NT Chapter) Tracy Memorial Award, 1994 (NT Chapter)1993Forbes and Fitzhardinge Stirling Station, Northern Suburbs Transit System Public Buildings Stirling, Perth Western AustraliaTransport1992Tompkins Shaw & Evans and Daryl Jackson, Architects in Association Great Southern Stand Melbourne Cricket GroundVictoriaSportMaggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 2020 Victorian Architecture Medal, 19921991Raffen Maron Architects (Guy Maron) Adelaide Botanic Gardens Conservatory (now Bicentennial Conservatory) Adelaide Botanic GardensSouth AustraliaCulturalJack Cheesman Award for Enduring Architecture, 2014 1990 Gregory Burgess Brambuk: Living Cultural Centre (now The National Parks and Cultural Centre) 277 Grampians Road, Halls Gap VictoriaCulturalNational Award for Enduring Architecture, 2023 Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award, 20231989Mitchell/Giurgola & Thorp Architects New Australian Parliament House Canberra Australian Capital TerritoryPublic ServiceNational Award for Enduring Architecture, 2013 Sir Roy Grounds Award for Enduring Architecture, 2013 Canberra Medallion, 19891988Australian Construction Services in association with Bligh Robinson Architects Brisbane Airport Terminal Airport Drive, Brisbane Airport QueenslandTransport1987Peter McIntyre, McIntyre Partnership (*Joint Winner) Dinner Plain Alpine Village Sorrel Place, Dinner Plain VictoriaTourismHarry Seidler and Associates (*Joint Winner) Riverside Centre 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane QueenslandCommercial Robin Dods Triennial Medal, 1989 (Qld) Robin Gibson Award for Enduring Architecture, 20111986Department of Housing and Construction with Ancher Mortlock & Woolley Cadets Mess Australian Defence Force Academy, Northcott Drive, Campbell Australian Capital TerritoryDefence1985Philip Cox & Partners Ayers Rock Resort (now Sails in the Desert) YularaNorthern TerritoryTourismNational Award for Enduring Architecture, 2019